I am looking for some advice on solar panels for topping up a caravan leisure battery. I only have an 85AH battery, so as far as I can tell I will only need something like a 10w output from the panel. Do I connect it directly to the battery and leave the output leads to the ZIG connected, or should I disconnect from the ZIG while the solar panel is charging the battery? Do I need some form of over-volatge device connected to prevent the battery being overcharged (unlikely in Engand I guess!!)
Whilst it is true "that every little helps", realistically a 10 Watt panel is going to be next to useless for anything other than in-storage battery maintenance.
The fact you have as you say only a 85 AH battery has little relevance to the required panel size, within the ranges of panel we are likely to be considering.
In the UK, IMO we need a panel of at least 40 Watts to give a useful level of support, even in our mixed summer weather.
Your 10 Watt panel can be directly coupled to your 85AH battery without putting the battery at any realistic risk of being overcharged. So leave the Zig coupled.
From 15 Watts upwards you should couple to the battery via a solar regulator, the higher the quality the better. A quality regulator will incorporate temperature correction so should be physically close to the battery to sense the temperature of the battery. Again you can leave the Zig connected; the regulator works independent of the Zig.
I used a 13 Watt unit for many years but changed to an 85 Watt three years ago. Now most of the year I can exist continuously off EHU. With the 13 Watt it just helped squeeze a little longer from the battery in good weather and a frugal use of power.
Quote: Originally posted by Kevin Massey on 07/5/2011
JTQU
can you expand a little for me...what do you run off this system 85w system...also can you link some panels controlers etc that are of better quality
T-I-A
Kev
My current 85 Watt system simply replenishes my 90 AH Gel caravan battery. That supports in addition to the heater/boiler/lighting/water pump/automatic fridge etc a couple of hours of TV, radio, DVD player and laptop, camera, phone recharging.
Presently I am using a Morningstar Sunsaver SS10 controller.
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/sun-saver
This set up frequently fully recharges the battery before lunch time then cant do anything more.
Whilst this works well we would like on occasions to be able to use more TV and DVD without worrying about "the life support" battery's depletion. Therefore I am gathering bits to simply carry a portable "entertainment system" battery. I have a Morningstar Duo
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/sun-saver-duo
This clever unit can be set to priorities on a 90/10% split charging of the "life support" battery over the "entertainment" battery. When the main battery is full it automatically puts 100% to the "entertainment" battery. If that battery is not taken on that trip it automatically gives 100% to the main battery.
I am planning to buy a small 65 AH semi traction battery as the dedicated "entertainment battery" and use it externally, much like the old TP2s of yesteryear were.
I have purchased the optional meter for the Duo to be able to monitor AHs received by the respective batteries.
When this is sorted we will be able to use the TV without any real concerns; or simply not take the portable battery when we know its additional capacity is not going to be required.
Quote: Originally posted by Kevin Massey on 07/5/2011
JTQU
can you expand a little for me...what do you run off this system 85w system...also can you link some panels controlers etc that are of better quality
T-I-A
Kev
My current 85 Watt system simply replenishes my 90 AH Gel caravan battery. That supports in addition to the heater/boiler/lighting/water pump/automatic fridge etc a couple of hours of TV, radio, DVD player and laptop, camera, phone recharging. Presently I am using a Morningstar Sunsaver SS10 controller.
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/sun-saver
This set up frequently fully recharges the battery before lunch time then cant do anything more.
Whilst this works well we would like on occasions to be able to use more TV and DVD without worrying about "the life support" battery's depletion. Therefore I am gathering bits to simply carry a portable "entertainment system" battery. I have a Morningstar Duo
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/sun-saver-duo
This clever unit can be set to priorities on a 90/10% split charging of the "life support" battery over the "entertainment" battery. When the main battery is full it automatically puts 100% to the "entertainment" battery. If that battery is not taken on that trip it automatically gives 100% to the main battery. I am planning to buy a small 65 AH semi traction battery as the dedicated "entertainment battery" and use it externally, much like the old TP2s of yesteryear were. I have purchased the optional meter for the Duo to be able to monitor AHs received by the respective batteries. When this is sorted we will be able to use the TV without any real concerns; or simply not take the portable battery when we know its additional capacity is not going to be required.
Thanks for the interesting reply.
Would it not be an option to change your 12v leisure battery you have now to a 6v and add a second 6v linked together...this may simplify the usage and give the capacity required?
Quote: Originally posted by Kevin Massey on 08/5/2011
Thanks for the interesting reply.
Would it not be an option to change your 12v leisure battery you have now to a 6v and add a second 6v linked together...this may simplify the usage and give the capacity required?
Well theoretically I could simply increase the van's battery capacity but that's not attractive on various counts.
I dont want to increase the carried payload in the van.
There is little space to do so.
The GEL battery needed [ it is installed internally] cost an arm and a leg.
I want a completely separate battery for the indulgences where if we deplete it its no big issue.
Changing to 6 volts offers no increased storage capacity weight for weight.
Quote: Originally posted by Kevin Massey on 08/5/2011
Thanks for the interesting reply.
Would it not be an option to change your 12v leisure battery you have now to a 6v and add a second 6v linked together...this may simplify the usage and give the capacity required?
Well theoretically I could simply increase the van's battery capacity but that's not attractive on various counts. I dont want to increase the carried payload in the van. There is little space to do so. The GEL battery needed [ it is installed internally] cost an arm and a leg. I want a completely separate battery for the indulgences where if we deplete it its no big issue.
Changing to 6 volts offers no increased storage capacity weight for weight.
I see what your saying ...thought about changing my main battery to as high a capacity 6v as will fit in th locker and adding a second inside the van under the seat right next to this box and linking them to give me back the 12v but with a big storage capacity.... its extending the existing wires that have put me off a little....just have to see how goes...at the moment w always used EHU I also have a small genny now... but still kicking small ideas about all the time and this one really appeals to me
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Solar panels
